CONTROVERSY REFEREE AND VAR ERROR : David Moyes criticises ‘very strange’ refereeing decision by Darren England after Everton’s derby defeat to Liverpool at Anfield

David Moyes cut a furious figure after Everton’s 2-1 defeat at Anfield, branding referee Darren England’s handling of the Merseyside clash “very strange.” Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike had fired the champions into control, but Idrissa Gueye’s strike gave the Toffees hope. The visitors piled on late pressure, yet controversy dominated the aftermath as Moyes and his players left the red half of the city empty-handed once again.

Slot hails Gravenberch as Liverpool beat Everton to retain 100% start

Gravenberch and Ekitike hit hard

Liverpool, with the Anfield crowd roaring, struck first through Gravenberch before new boy Ekitike doubled the advantage. Everton looked lifeless before the interval, unable to keep pace with Liverpool’s relentless tempo. But the second half told a different story as Moyes’ side found their fight, and Gueye’s goal hauled them back into it. For a while, the champions looked rattled as Everton pushed bodies forward, scenting an equaliser

Moyes hit out at England

Moyes seethed post-match about the minutes added on: “Three minutes was very strange. Every quick free-kick had to be stopped and brought back for the whistle, and then we get a booking for it. I find it quite unbelievable.”

Grealish clash sparks fury

At the heart of the drama was Jack Grealish. Hounded by Liverpool defenders all evening, the winger felt that protection from the officials was little. To make matters worse, he was shown a yellow card after the final whistle for venting his anger.

“We couldn’t get the last goal and it was frustrating in the second half,” he told TNT Sports. “They were trying to slow the game down at times. I’ve never seen a player in my whole life get booked for taking a quick free-kick. I don’t know where that rule has come in. Even the stoppage-time, three minutes and one minute, I’ve never seen that in the Premier League in the last two or three years.

“There were frustrations with the referee. Sometimes you want to let the game go, I completely get that, but you can’t not give us something and then two seconds later one of their defenders goes down after getting touched in the back and he gives it. You come to these stadiums and the crowd are on them, I feel that they feel they have to give it. Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall] is on four yellows now and he got one for taking a quick free-kick. We want to get the game going, we’re losing.”

David Moyes has never won a Premier League match at Anfield in 21 attempts